Polymath Programmer

I’m Vincent Tan, a programmer in Singapore. I majored in applied mathematics and computational science, which is a rare combination for a programmer. If you find someone else who shares this unique set of skills, let me know so I can meet a fellow mathematician, computational scientist and programmer. It’s good for your karma too.

After my studies of three dimensional geometry, cryptography and the finer points of graph theory, I joined the workforce. I’ve only picked up C as a programming language, which was why I was flabbergasted. Some of the professional code I read was horrendous.

With more programming experience, I realised some programmers solved problems using the only tool or programming language they had or knew. They either didn’t solve the problem or gave a poorly thought solution.

They increased their skills by going deeper into their existing knowledge, instead of broadening their scope of knowledge.

I started this blog to open your eyes to the concept of linking different skills together and adapting them for programming. I call this multidisciplinary programming. There will be smatterings of math here and there, and I feel the rigors of mathematical analysis are useful to you.

Some background history:

• Part 1 - The beginning
• Part 2 - Role playing games and computer super spies
• Part 3 - Typewriters, juxtaposition and XT86
• Part 4 - Console games and self-learning Japanese
• Part 5 - 3D graphics and computer viruses
• Part 6 - Game development and Demoscene
• Part 7 - Professional programming and blogging

I’ve worked with C, C++, Java, Matlab, OpenGL, DirectX, C#, VB.NET, (X)HTML, CSS, Javascript, ASP.NET and SQL (on Sybase, SQL Server and Oracle). I’ve also

• given presentations to customers, sales and marketing and customer support staff
• written technical documents and user manuals
• diagnosed and solved network problems
• liaised with customers
• handled queries from users
• perform server maintenance

Feel free to contact me. Questions, thoughts, ideas or simply that you had a nice day today are welcome. Oh, and subscribe to my RSS feed for lots of programming goodness.

I love fantasy and science fiction, Kindaichi detective stories, and Utada Hikaru’s songs.

Disclosure: Whilst I (Vincent Tan) accept any form of compensation, be they from donations, advertising or gifts, I only recommend services and products which I’ve used or bought before, and are great. (Or at least of good quality).

Content and links arising from such compensation may not always be identified as such. Think for yourself! If you don’t like what you read, don’t click on it. If you don’t like what you read after you click on a link, don’t follow through. Cultivate an independent mind of your own.

Anything written here are my opinions only, and does not constitute a statement from my employer.